Rome, April 10, 2025 — The Europe Today: King Charles III and Queen Camilla marked their 20th wedding anniversary during a four-day state visit to Italy, where they attended a state dinner hosted by President Sergio Mattarella at the Quirinale Palace on Wednesday evening. The event was attended by key Italian officials, including Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani.
During his address at the dinner, President Mattarella praised the UK’s commitment to European partnership, emphasizing the trust it builds through London’s continued collaboration with its European partners in maintaining international order. “That order based on rules that together we have helped to establish,” he said, “on whose safeguard a future of peace and security for humanity depends.”
Earlier in the day, the royal couple met privately with Pope Francis in what was their first meeting since the Pope’s return to the Vatican following a five-week recovery from life-threatening double pneumonia. The private audience, which lasted about 20 minutes, included the exchange of gifts and was a gesture of goodwill from both sides. Pope Francis also extended his warm anniversary wishes to King Charles and Queen Camilla, who reciprocated by wishing the Pope a speedy recovery.
In addition to the formal events, King Charles and Queen Camilla engaged with Italian culture and citizens. The King met with Italian actors and drama students and enjoyed a performance of Shakespeare’s Othello at the Mattatoio, a cultural venue housed in a former industrial building. Meanwhile, Queen Camilla met with children at the Alessandro Manzoni school, where she was presented with a traditional pizza margherita from a local pizzeria.
The royal couple’s visit to Italy further reinforced the long-standing ties between the UK and Italy, blending diplomatic discussions with cultural exchange and personal moments.
